Reader's Viewpoint: Community Mental Health Act was part of JFK legacy

Comment

Times Reporter

Writer

Posted Nov. 28, 2013 at 11:39 PM
Updated Nov 28, 2013 at 11:40 PM

Posted Nov. 28, 2013 at 11:39 PM
Updated Nov 28, 2013 at 11:40 PM

Last week, local media did a very nice job in sharing the general public’s thoughts and memories associated with the anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, However, as a new employee of Community Mental Healthcare and registered nurse hired to bring community awareness to mental health, I noticed a glaring void.

Fifty years ago, in a speech to Congress, Kennedy proposed “... a national mental health program to assist in the inauguration of a wholly new emphasis and approach to care for the mentally ill. ... Central to a new mental health program is comprehensive community care.”

Later that year in 1963, Congress passed the Community Mental Health Act to provide federal funding for community mental health centers and research facilities devoted to research in mental health. It was the last legislation Kennedy signed into law before his assassination. This legislation set the stage for an entirely new approach to recovery in the community, one marked by continually evolving care and treatment for Americans with mental illnesses and addictions.

But are we making as much progress as the late JFK envisioned? While making some positive strides, our local community and the nation as a whole, have a long way to go. Recognizing that mental health is the cornerstone for treating the whole patient and ensuring access to affordable care is a great place to start. We need to not only change the conversation around mental health, but also change our comfort level in having the conversation and need to be deliberate in whom we have the conversation with. It can happen!

While we will always reflect upon the anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination, I hope that we as a community also remember Kennedy’s last legislative act. This also should serve as an annual reminder to our local healthcare providers, counselors, educators, family members, and legal system to work collaboratively to provide comprehensive mental health to those who need it. Where will we be in 50 years? Call me to converse about it.